Boca vs River
Following coach Miguel Angel Russo’s decision to field a completely alternative XI to close up the group stage, Boca Juniors succumbed to an unexpected 1-0 away defeat at Patronato last Sunday. However, the team had already secured their ticket to this round: they finished in second spot in group B on 22 points in spite of having put an end to their three-game winning run in the Copa Liga Profesional. At home, El Xeneize won their last three matches in this competition over Defensa y Justicia, Atletico Tucuman and Lanus.
River Plate played enjoyable football to put an end to their two-game losing run in league action last Sunday, when beating Aldosivi 4-1 at their own stadium. That much-needed victory allowed them to qualify for the playoffs, ending up in third spot in group A on 21 points. El Millonario lost their last domestic game on the road (1-0 at Banfield), which broke a five-match unbeaten streak on away turf in the Copa Liga Profesional (three victories and two draws).
Another edition of the Superclasico and considering how bad they’ve been playing lately and that they’ll both be scared to lose, I can imagine a tight game and maybe a draw that would take the series to a penalties shootout. River is depleted by covid cases and they will have to use a young lineup so boca should take advantage of this